NAMOR project pioneers a next-generation water treatment solution that combines the co-cultivation of microalgae and bacteria with advanced membrane filtration in a modular plug-and-play system. This innovative approach enables decentralized treatment of diverse water and wastewater streams and supports a sustainable and resilient urban water cycle. NAMOR’s hybrid system is designed for maximum adaptability, with demonstrations across three different climate zones — high, medium and low temperatures — under different lighting conditions to ensure robust performance in a variety of environmental scenarios. The system will deliver high quality, fit-for-purpose effluents with minimal energy consumption and environmental impact, improving urban water management. It will integrate seamlessly into existing centralized water networks and enable local, site-specific treatment. In addition, the biomass produced will be efficiently valorized for nutrient and energy recovery, contributing to a circular economy. At the heart of NAMOR’s innovation is the development of a digital twin model equipped with a sensor network and predictive analytics to monitor and predict system performance in real time. This is complemented by a Decision Support System that optimizes energy efficiency and maximizes water and nutrient recovery, tailored to the specific local requirements. NAMOR also places great emphasis on citizen engagement and social acceptance of decentralized water solutions. Through an inclusive, participatory approach, citizens are actively involved from planning to implementation. Social science methods will assess public opinion and willingness to adopt these systems, while targeted policy recommendations will encourage greater public participation. NAMOR is also researching the global market and regulatory landscape to find ways to adapt its solutions to international contexts, thus positioning itself as a pioneering solution for future urban water systems worldwide.
Under the Project, WE&B successfully developed/delivered the following services:
• Leader of WP6 on Citizen participatory actions and Business Models
• Governance and stakeholder analysis tasks
• Used advanced social analysis tools for enhancing co-creation of business models and governance frameworks with pilot stakeholders and the contribution of relevant stakeholders in policy making
• Effectively promoted the active participation & engagement of different stakeholders throughout the life cycle of the project implementation to ensure performance and sustainability and maximise the final impact.
• Facilitated citizen acceptance of the proposed compact interconnected MPBR system, with an active participatory approach, from the very beginning to the project’s closure
• Applied novel social science approaches to identify citizens’ perspectives and willingness to participate in the decentralised approach, while seeking to support their participation through the development of appropriate policy recommendations
• Established from the beginning of the project a stakeholder group (SHG) for each demo based on the Quadruple Helix. And ensured the SHGs of the three demos interacted and collaborated through the NAMOR Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP), which connected to relevant platforms across the EU to reach and multiply the impact of the project
• Designed and implemented market analyses, workshops & B2B meetings to support the creation of sustainable business models through the development of public-private partnerships (PPPs)
• Explored the opportunities and challenges of the market and regulation in the two collaborating international countries, India & Republic of Korea, by elaborating the project results and adapting them to the specific conditions (utilisation planning, complemented by an analysis of the policy framework & barriers, leading to meaningful policy recommendations).
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